[Rocket]

Hi,

I've slowly but surely been upgrading my vinyl system.

I have the following:

Bluenote Piccolo Turntable
Audio Technica cartridge (their cheapy entry level version)
Perreaux sxv-1 Phonostage (can be used with mm or mc cartridges).

The turntable is the major investment in my system and is similiar in quality to rega 25 or nottingham horizon turntables.

I have a limited budget as i mainly listen to cd's and don't want to spend a lot of $$$ on my vinyl.  The current cartridge just isn't up to the task.

Carlman sent over his bugle to me to have a listen to in my system.  At this stage it is hard to find out any differences between the bugle and perreaux.  I'm sure it's the cartridge.  Actually it was funny in a way, it took almost a month to arrive from the states (i thought it was lost) and after listening to the bugle for about an hour the Damn belt snapped.

I've ordered a new belt from singapore.

Okay i am considering:

Shure m97xe (i had a older version of this cartridge and liked it.  it is an mm)
Ortofon mc-1 turbo (mc cartridge $162au)
Denon dl103 (mc cartridge, i don't know how much it will cost but i'm sure it will be about $300au which is a bit too pricey for me)

Does anyone have any alternatives i could consider in the $150us range?

Best wishes

rocket

[Carlman]

Check the output voltages... The DL-103 while (reportedly) one of the nicest cart's for the money, is about .3mV vs. the 2.2mV you probably have.  You'd need a step-up transformer for it to work.

The Bugle in its current configuration is best suited for a higher output cartridge.  I'd consider the DL-160, a high-output moving coil.  I just heard it Sunday on a good rig and thought it was very nice for the price.

-Carl

[JoshK]

Isn't Dynavector aussie?  Are they cheaper down under?  I love my Dynavector cart (20xh) but I have also heard great things about the 10x4 (now 10x5 I think).

[mcrespo71]

I agree with, Josh.  I own the Dynavector 20XH and I've heard the Dyna 10X5, which should be in your price range used I think.  If you like PRAT, I don't think Dynavectors can be beat.  I witnessed a Dynavector 10X5 make the internet darling Shelter 501 sound a beat behind in timing.

Michael

[lcrim]

Rod:
Carl's advice regarding output voltage is, from my experience, critical in choosing a cartridge.   MC cartridges, while generally but not universally considered to provide higher quality sound are also at lower output levels.  The step up device and the phono preamp would then multiply that figure up to a level that the preamp finds usable.  The preamp may also provide gain.  The trade offs are, of course, that each device in line adds its own signature and these devices add cost.
Since I use a Decware Select amp,  which requires a 2 volt input to reach full output, I opted for a Goldring 1000 series cart @ 6.5 mv to provide sufficient headroom in system.  Since adding an AES AE-3 preamp recently, with its 20dB gain, I could probably use a cart with lower output but the setup works well and I just don't feel like messing with it.  The Dynavector line has a great reputation when properly setup but they tend to be of lower output.  I use http://www.needledoctor.com/ as a reference site to check manufacturers specs.
Good luck.

[Carlman]

Isn't Dynavector aussie?  Are they cheaper down under?  I love my Dynavector cart (20xh) but I have also heard great things about the 10x4 (now 10x5 I think).

I think they're Japanese.  In any case, the 10x5 sure has gotten some of the 'right kind' of praise.  Everyone that's heard it tells me it's a great balance and doesn't go too far in any one area.  Sounds like a real winner.

I called the U.S. distributor to learn that pricing is set and I have a local dealer.  Also he said my arm should be a great match.  So, that's good news!  Now I just need to find the money!  

-C

Edit... just ordered the 10x5 from Needledoctor.  They gave me a full credit for the Ortofon OM20 that I didn't particularly like.  It'll take 1-2 weeks to get here, though.  Needledoc has been better after the sale than they were during or before! I'm very happy with them.

[Inscrutable]

Of course the output voltage is a concern, and each separate amplification adds not just its own signature and cost, but noise/distortion - which is significant at these minute voltages.  But of significant importance is the cartridge and arm compatibility.  Although they all seem to be tending toward the middle of the road these days, and therefore widely compatible, make sure the compliance of the cartridge mates well with the mass of your arm.

Michael and lcrim's comments about the Dynavector line are on target.  You see a lot of Dynavector/Rega marriages, and PRAT is always a strong suit of those combos.

Carl, congrats on the purchase!  Can't wait to hear it.  While I was intrigued by the amp comparisons Sunday, I'm still leaning toward an analog upgrade next.  It's going to be a very tough call.

[WEEZ]

Rocket,

I agree with the posts above.

If your 'table has a Rega based arm- the Dyna cartridges work very well. As I've posted on other threads- while I love the sound of the wood body Grados- they don't like the Rega arms.

Dynavector is a match for Rega arms and the presentation is is extreemly musical.

WEEZ

[Carlman]

I don't know if this is good or not but a friend sent me a link when I was recently looking for a cartridge:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5704923881&category=64620&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1

[Rocket]

Hi,

Need to clarify for you that i don't have a rega arm on my turntable.

It is fitted with the b5 bluenote turntable.  What i meant to mean was the bluenote is similiar in performance to a rega 25 or nottingham horizon turntable.  Sorry for the confusion.

I have contacted a local dealer and asked for a price on the dynavector range of cartridges.  However i think they will be out of my budget.

I can only spend $150us.  I have tracked down another source of shure m97 xe cartridge for $129au which sell typically for $89us in the states.

best wishes

rocket

Ps carlman, the new belt shipped 2 days ago from singapore and should arrive early next week.

[Psychicanimal]

I can only spend $150us.

Try Juki the Hong Kong pirate.  For that kind of money you can buy an Ortofon X5 high outmput MC, if it's compatible w/ the arm in your high end TT.

[Rocket]

Hi Psychic,

Do you have a website address?

regards

rod

[Psychicanimal]

Search for 2Juki in Audiogon...

[JW911]

..from Jack's Music Factory.  I bought one.

[Rocket]

Hi,

Finally upgraded the cartridge on my bluenote piccolo turntable.  I was lucky enough to source a denon dl103 moving coil cartridge from a local hi fi dealer here in perth.  It cost me $218 au and they installed it for me.

I collect the turntable today.

Jack's music factory wouldn't sell a shure v15 to me (which was my preferred cartridge) as i don't live in the states.  I was going to forward the cartridge to my niece in new york but they couldn't accept international credit cards.

So luckily i was able to obtain a good price for cartridge in perth.

regards

rocket

[Hifi Nut]

Hi,

Sorry guys, please bear with me.  

[Hifi Nut]

Hi,

What is PRAT?

[Rocket]

Hi,

I think it means Pace Rhythym and Timing.

regards

rod

[Hifi Nut]

Thanks Rod

[Hifi Nut]

Hi,

The so call high output MC with output voltage in the region of 2.xmV versus most mm in the region of few mV. Do you need to crank up the amplifier volume higher than usual?

Nut